Further Expansion in US for Balfour Beatty

BICC PLC
1 December 1999


FURTHER EXPANSION IN THE US FOR BALFOUR BEATTY
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Balfour Beatty announces today that the group's US engineering and
construction subsidiary, Balfour Beatty Construction Inc, has won two new
major contracts in the fast-growing US transport market.

In California, the company has won a $113 million contract to widen the San
Mateo-Hayward Bridge from four to six lanes.  Construction is expected to
begin in January 2000 and be completed by the end of 2002.  A new concrete
causeway structure, five miles long and 60 feet wide, will be built adjacent
to the existing causeway.

In Texas, Balfour Beatty will build 3.5 miles of roadway and nine bridges for
the North Texas Tollway Authority.  The project, valued at $43 million, is due
to be completed in 24 months and will create a six lane toll road with a large
toll collection area.

Mike Welton, Chief Executive of BICC plc, commenting today, said:  'Our US
operation, which is focused on heavy civil and rail engineering, two of the
group's core strengths, has a strong order book and an improving profit
record.  We are confident of further expansion of its activities over the next
period.'

These contracts are the latest in a series of 1999 successes for Balfour
Beatty in the USA, which include major projects in Texas, California and North
Carolina.  Expenditure on the transport infrastructure, in which the company
specialises, is underpinned by TEA 21, the Federal Government's funding
programme, and is growing substantially.  The company is currently close to
completion of the $450 million electrification of the railway line from Boston
to New Haven for Amtrak.


Enquiries to:-

Tim Sharp
BICC Group
Tel: [phone]